Tracheal intubation system including a laryngoscope

Abstract

A tracheal intubation system including a laryngoscope is disclosed. An endotracheal tube exchange system is also disclosed. In some examples, the system includes a laryngoscope, a stylet, and an endotracheal tube. In some examples the stylet is an articulating stylet. An endotracheal tube with one or more depth-assessment bands is also disclosed. An articulating stylet with one or more depth-assessment bands and an orientation mark is also disclosed. A method of positioning an endotracheal tube in a patient is also disclosed. A method of positioning a stylet for placement of an endotracheal tube is also disclosed. A method of performing an endotracheal tube exchange procedure is also disclosed.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A device, comprising:
 a hollow tube configured to be placed in an airway of a patient; and   at least one depth assessment band on the hollow tube, the at least one depth assessment band being visually distinct from an adjacent portion of the hollow tube, wherein the at least one depth assessment band on the hollow tube is configured to indicate a placement of the hollow tube when viewed in proximity to a glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow tube is configured to allow gases to flow into and out of the patient through an interior cavity formed by the hollow tube. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a sealing mechanism coupled with the hollow tube and configured to seal the airway of the patient.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one depth assessment band contacts at least one other depth assessment band. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow tube further comprises:
 a first depth assessment band having a first dimension along a length of the hollow tube; and   a second depth assessment band having a second dimension along the length of the hollow tube, the first dimension different than the second dimension.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow tube further comprises:
 a first depth assessment band having a first color; and   a second depth assessment band having a second color different than the first color.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow tube further comprises:
 a first depth assessment band having a first pattern; and   a second depth assessment band having a second pattern different than the first pattern.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow tube further comprises:
 a first depth assessment band having a first color and a first pattern; and   a second depth assessment band having a second color different than the first color and a second pattern different than the first pattern.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an orientation mark on the hollow tube and configured to indicate a radial orientation of the hollow tube about a longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         19 . A tracheal intubation system comprising:
 a hollow tube configured to be placed in an airway of a patient, the hollow tube comprising at least one depth assessment band on the hollow tube, the at least one depth assessment band being visually distinct from an adjacent portion of the hollow tube; and   a laryngoscope for viewing the at least one depth assessment band and a glottis of the patient at a same time.   
     
     
         20 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one depth assessment band on the hollow tube is configured to indicate a placement of the hollow tube when viewed in proximity to the glottis of the patient. 
     
     
         21 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a sealing mechanism coupled with the hollow tube and configured to seal the airway of the patient.   
     
     
         22 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , wherein the laryngoscope further comprises:
 a blade having a first end configured to be inserted into a mouth of the patient.   
     
     
         23 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , wherein the laryngoscope further comprises:
 an optical capture device configured to capture an image that includes the at least one depth assessment band and the glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         24 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 23 , wherein the laryngoscope further comprises:
 a display device configured to display the image captured by the optical capture device that includes the at least one depth assessment band and the glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         25 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , wherein the hollow tube further comprises:
 an orientation mark on the hollow tube and configured to indicate a radial orientation of the hollow tube about a longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         26 . A method of positioning an endotracheal tube in a patient, comprising:
 inserting a laryngoscope in a mouth of the patient;   inserting, into an airway of the patient, the endotracheal tube having at least one depth assessment band on an exterior surface of the endotracheal tube, the at least one depth assessment band being visually distinct from an adjacent portion of the endotracheal tube;   monitoring, using the laryngoscope, a position of the at least one depth assessment band relative to a glottis of the patient; and   modifying a depth that the endotracheal tube is inserted into the airway of the patient until the at least one depth assessment band indicates that the endotracheal tube is positioned at an appropriate depth in the patient.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 determining that the endotracheal tube is positioned in a zone of caution based at least in part on monitoring the position of the at least one depth assessment band relative to the glottis of the patient, wherein modifying the depth of the endotracheal tube is based at least in part on determining that the endotracheal tube is positioned in the zone of caution.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein inserting the laryngoscope further comprises:
 inserting a blade of the laryngoscope in the mouth of the patient, wherein inserting the endotracheal tube into the airway of the patient is based at least in part on inserting the blade.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein modifying the depth that the endotracheal tube is inserted into the airway of the patient further comprises:
 inserting the endotracheal tube at least partially into the airway of the patient based at least in part on monitoring the position of the at least one depth assessment band relative to the glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein modifying the depth that the endotracheal tube is inserted into the airway of the patient further comprises:
 withdrawing the endotracheal tube at least partially out of the airway of the patient based at least in part on monitoring the position of the at least one depth assessment band relative to the glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein monitoring the position of the at least one depth assessment band uses one or more images captured by an optical capture device of the laryngoscope.